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Introducing to you ... this week in
Your Weekly CORNWALL EVENTS & COMMUNITY Newspaper
Vol. 3, Issue 23
June 15, 2012
about CORNWALL PEOPLE for CORNWALL PEOPLE by CORNWALL PEOPLE
BIKERS against BRAIN CANCER Devon Payette - Quite the entertainer at the Pre-Ride Fundraiser Supper held at Vieux Duluth on Wednesday, June 13th. Extraordinary NF2er — Devon Payette
By: Kim Gillet (Devon’s mother)
Devon, seen here in his new leather vest, bought as a gift from Kinsmen member Jody Archambault, was 5 years old in 2007 when he developed pneumonia and was admitted to our local hospital. During that time, he developed a staggering gait and a kinked neck, which no one seemed too concerned about. I thought that maybe he had an ear infection, but several days after leaving hospital this had not resolved and he was falling for no apparent reason. A CAT scan revealed a large tumour in the posterior fossa of his brain. We were quickly transferred to the regional children’s hospital and after a battery of tests it was revealed that he actually had 4 other tumours in his little body, including one on the (R) optic nerve that had already rendered him blind in that eye (no one knew). Hindsight is 20/20 and looking back there were several symptoms that we now knew were a result of that tumour. He had two surgeries in 3 weeks and they removed about 80% of the tumour that had compressed his brainstem to the point that it was no thicker than a sheet of paper. After the first surgery, they told us it was a benign meningioma . The topic of NF2 was not brought up until after his second surgery. He had genetic testing but that came back negative so he was diagnosed by the traditional criteria. Within 9 months, that tumour had grown back to its original size and he was referred to a larger center in the city of Toronto. He had his third surgery just over a year after the first two. Again, they were unable to remove his entire tumour. Because it graded as an aggressive tumour, the opinion of two teams was to radiate, so with great trepidation we traveled 2 hours daily for six weeks for radiation therapy. Each surgery left Devon having to relearn to walk and use his right arm and hand. He has (r) sided hemiparesis and his (r) vocal cord is paralyzed so he does have episodes of choking. He has always persevered to do everything everyone else is doing. He would tell his father “Never give up, right Dad?” before we even knew about the NF2 motto! Since 2008, Devon’s MRIs have always been “no growth” until this October when we were advised that his (R) VS and a tumour at L3 in his spine have grown. Thankfully, he is not experiencing any symptoms at this time . Devon, now 10, likes to run; a sport he can participate in alone as his doctors have banned contact sports. He continues to exhibit his fighting spirit and never gives up. He inspires me and many other people in his life. He never worries about winning the race. Just to participate and finish gives him a tremendous amount of joy and a feeling of accomplishment. He has an old soul and a sunny spirit and I feel truly blessed by God to be his mother.
Devon, this year’s poster child, will be at the Bikers against Brain Cancer Fundraiser ride tomorrow, Saturday June 16th, hosted by Earthway Family Chiropractic (812 Pitt Street, Cornwall) Registration 911 am with a Pancake Breakfast, Ride 11am-2pm and a BBQ with A few lakeview lots are still available for 2012 Season. Other lots available. Door prizes 2-4pm. Lakeview Lots with trailers for sale.
Check out the Yard Sale Seeker ....You won't survive yard sale season without it! page 18
Call 613-931-1516 for information